Now that they have our attention!

NTSB's recommended banning of cell phone use in cars has certainly focused debate about distracted driving causes. (And listen here to a discussion with the chairman of the board.)

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board recently recommended that government regulators prohibit all cell phone use in moving vehicles, even with hands-free devices unless the call is for emergency services (i.e. 911 calls). Based on auto accidents they've investigated over the years, the agency contends such communication, particularly texting, is a significant distraction for drivers' attention.

Now, first off, it has to be remembered that driving is not a right but a privilege regulated by the authorities for safety and traffic management. But would such a ban go too far? After all, talking to a passenger seated next to a driver can also be distracting. One fellow member of the New England Motor Press Association told me he regards talking on a hands-free phone the same as talking to a passenger. And even with a hand-held unit, once it is dialed and put on speaker (the most distracting part of its use), can function as a hands-free phone.

On the other side of the coin, talking to a passenger is not the same because the other person is in the same environment and situation as the driver, and thus knows automatically when the driver needs to focus more attention on the road, tailoring his/her behavior accordingly. And the NTSB feels the hands-free distraction, while not as severe as texting (which most reasonable people will agree demands a total ban), requires action because it is so widespread (i.e. a lower risk factor spread over a wider data base produces a significant number of accident incidences).

So where do we go from here? First off, for the sake of full disclosure, as someone who has had two family members run into by drivers either texting or on a cell phone, I am firmly in the camp of tightening communication device use to reduce distraction—provided it can be enforced effectively or technology adapted, in the vehicle or device, to avoid use in dangerous situations.

At least we will likely see a country-wide ban in the U.S. on texting while driving, the worst of such offenses. Why not leave us a comment as to what you see as a reasonable technical or regulatory solution to the distracted driving problem?

For a thoughtful discussion of the NTSB recommendation, which includes board chair Deborah Hersman and others, click here (in which only one participant gets semi-hysterical about "abolitionists" of drivers rights)..

__________________________

Go to the Automotive Designline home page for the latest in automotive electronics design, technology, trends, products, and news. Also, get a weekly highlights update delivered directly to your inbox by signing up for our weekly automotive electronics newsletter here.

The problem with legislating a ban is that determined users will ignore the law just as they do now. Placing the responsibility on the service providers to detect motion and disable communication (except for emergency calls) will ensure all moving devices are rendered inoperable.
The argument against this is that passengers in cars, trains, buses, boats are also affected. However, in most cases these passengers are already restricted from other activities such as consumption of alcohol or illicit substances.
The alternative is to embed a jamming device in the vehicle that can sense whether it is the driver or a passenger using the mobile unit, make this device impossible to defeat by its removal or electrical disconnection, and not jam users external to the vehicle. This would be quite a trick.
Maybe a camera in the steering wheel? [(No image OR driver's lips moving OR lips covered with surgical mask) AND strong RF field detected AND vehicle in motion AND both hands not on steering wheel for longer than 5 seconds = enable jam)]. Or similar algorithm. The problem here is that older vehicles without this 'feature' would quickly rise in value and remain in service much longer than they do now.
It's a pickle all right...

A new device can be fitted into every car so that the driving seat area will not be able receive or transmit calls including the hands free wired or non wired devices. This device to be designd as a passive device which will absorb all the radiation of the mobile tower signls. Also it will detect audio signls from the wired devices and switch of the engine with a warning.

I have to say, most of the time, when I notice a driver doing something particularly bone-headed, e.g. crawling along at a slow pace while a stale green is about to turn red, or swerving into my lane unexpectedly, it's because the genius is talking on his cell phone. So I'm not surprised by this NTSB recommendation. A ban would go a long way to preventing road rage.
A total ban is an inconvenience to everyone. It's motivated by the evident fact that too many people cannot be bothered to show some restraint. While driving, keep those calls short, if you must call at all.
Still, my suspicion is that people in Congress are among the worst offenders, so that nothing will be done on this score.